Telephone meter system and apparatus.



R. H: MANSON. TELEPHONE METER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 18, 1901.

946,382. Patented Jail. 11,1910.

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R. H. MANSON. A

TELEPHONE METER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 18, 1907. 94 ,3 2 Patented Jan. 11; 1910.

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- UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoEq RAY H. MANSON, OF ELYRIA,'-OI-IIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE DEAN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF ELYRIA, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

TELEPHONE METER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Yatent. Patnted Jan. 11, 1910.

Application filed April 18, 1907. Serial -No. 369,018.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RAY H. MANSON, a

citizen of the United States, residing at f Elyria, in the county of Lorain and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone Meter Systems and Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates-t0 telephone-meter systems and apparatus in general, and particularly to such as are designed and con structed to measure and register the duration or length of time the telephone is used for conversational purposes, as distinguished from the number of conversations.

In my companion application, Serial No. 369,017 I have disclosed a system in which electrically operated meters are provided at the subscribersstations, the electric motor for operating each meter being arranged to drive the meter whensupplied with current from the line in a given direction and to reverse and run idly without driving the meter when the current in the line is reversed, the arrangement being such that when a connection is completed between two subscribers current will be flowin in the two lines in opposite directions so that the meter of only one of the subscribers will record. In accordance with my present invention I employ, preferably, the'same meter and motor mechanism employedin connection with the system just mentioned, and so arrange the circuits that when a calling subscriber is in communication with the central office, his meter motor will be supplied with current in a direction to cause it to run idly without drivim the meter mechanism, and when the centraI otlice operator makes connection to the line of the called subscriber current will be supplied to, and the motor at that station operate in, thesame direction as that of the calling subscriber, but when the called subscriber answers and thus completes the talking connection with the calling subscriber, the current in both lines will be reversed, thus reversing both meter motors and cansing both meters to register. In order to effect this reversal of current in the lines I provide a special relay in connection with the central ofiice operatorscord circuit so arranged that when the called subscriber answers, the armature of the relay will be attracted and will reverse the currentflow.-

- ing from the cord circuit out over both lines.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated my invention as embodied in a system in which the well known three-wire line terminal is employed, in combination with a three-wire cord circuit, also well know-n, to which I have applied the necessaryuapparatus and circuit connections for attaining the obiects of my invention.

In the drawings, Figurel is a diagram showing the apparatus and line circuit in detail of one subscriber and the circuit of a second subscriberwith the apparatus symbolically shown; Figp2 is a diagram of a cord circuit, and Fig; 3 is a schematic view of a modification of the subscribers circuit. Fig. 4 shows in detail view a modified form of construction of the relay I shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a subscribcfis station, which will be for convenience designated the calling subseribers station, and B. the called subscribers station, each being provided with the usual transmitting and receiving in truments. Station A is connected by line wires 1 and 2 with the answering jack J at the central office. Any preferred line indicator and cut ofi', represented by K and L, respectively, may be employed at the central ofiice in connection with jack J, those shown being ofa well known type which need not be described in detail, but will be referred to in the description of operation of the invention.

The meter C comprises an electric motor M having a permanent or separately excited field magnet m and an armature m. The armature m is geared by worm d to a large gear wheel'D of the registering mechanism. Concentric with gear wheel D, or otherwise mounted in relation thereto. is a dial disk (Z adapted to be engaged by a pawl (Z mounted upon gear wheel I) and driven thereby whensaid gear wheel rotates in a given direction, but .to pass idly thereover when said gear wheel is rotated in the opposite direction. A stop pawl (Z also engages the'tecth of the dial disk (Z to. positively prevent the backward rotation of the latter.

The armature of the motor M is coni the motor, I employ a regulating resistance,

shown diagrammatically at R, and con trolled in any suitable manner, such as by a centrifugal governor G mounted upon or controlled by the armature shaft of the motor. This regulating resistance R is normally short circuited through the contacts of governor G, but when the speed of the motor exceeds a predetermined limit this short circuit is opened and the resistance R thereby becomes effective to reduce 'the speed. It will be observed that as the field magnet of the motor is independent of the armature circuit, the direction of rotation of tlie armature will depend upon the direction of current flow in the line circuit. In Fig. 1 it will be further observed that the motor M is connected in series in the subscribers line so that it will be' supplied with current in series with the transmitting and receiving 'instruments when the receiver is off the hook, the ringer of this station having been omitted to avoid complication of the drawing. In Fig. 3 I have shown a ringer X bridged across the line in parallel with the transmitting and receiving instruments, and have also shown the meter (in outline only) bridged across the line.

The cord circuit H, as has been said, is of a-threewire type and is provided With an answering plug P and a calling plug P each provided with a tip contact and two sleeve contacts, p and 72 respectively. The cord circuit is supplied with current from battery h through'conductors 5 and 6, the connection being controlled by armature 2' so as to cause the current to flow in'either direction. Relay I has a second armature 2' adapted to control a holding or locking circuit which passes through an extra contact 9' on armature of the answering sleeve relay Q. It is desirable in the operation of relay I, that armature i should be attracted and close its contact before the armature 2' is attracted to reverse the battery current.-

This may be efiected in any suitable way, such as by adjusting the springs of these armatures, and is shown by making the spring a lighter than the spring 8.

The circuit connection through the coil of reversing relay I is controlled by a relay energized when the called subscriber answers, and for this purpose I preferably employ the tip calling (supervisory) relay 0 and provide the armature thereof with an extra contact 0. When the called subscriber answers a call, therefore, relay '0 will be energized and by attracting its armature will close the circuit of battery 71 through reversing relay I which will then attract its armature z and reverse the cur scriber, current Will flow from battery it.

to ground and return by line cut-off relay L, sleeve of jack J, sleeve p of the plug, and the winding of relay Q, thus cutting ofi the line battery. At the same time current will flow from battery it, conductor 5, tip of plug P, tip spring of jack J, line conductor 2, motor armature'm telephone instruments, line conductor 1, sleeve spring of jack J, sleeve contact 79 of plug 1 and return to battery by conductor 6. During this connection, the direction of current flow is such as to rotate the armature at motor M in its backward 'direction, that is, such direction that pawl d carried on disk D will travel idly over registering disk (Z and the meter will not be 'operated. Having ascertained the number of the subscriber wanted, for instance subscriber B, calling plug P is inserted in the jack J of that subscriber. \Vhen subscriber B removes his receiver from the hook and thus completes the through talking circuit with the calling subscriber A, current will flow in the same direction as current flowing in the line of subscriber A from battery It, conductor 5, tip of plug P through the subscribers instruments and meter motor, contact p of plug P and return to battery by conductor 6. It will be observed that this circuit includes the windings of tip calling relay 0, and upon its completion this relay is energized to attract its armature and at the same time closes the contact 0. The closing of this contact 0 completes the energizing circuit of reversing relay I as follows: from battery it to ground, contact 0 of relay 0, winding of reversing relay I and return to battery. The first effect of the energization of relay I is to attract its armature i and thereby close a holding or locking circuit through the winding of relay I as follows: battery It to ground, extra contact of relay Q, conductor 7, armature 2", winding of relay 1' and return to battery. This circuitwill remain complete through the contact (1 until .the answering plug P is removed from its jack. The energization of relay I next attracts its armature 2', this attraction occurring after that of the armature 2'. on account of the adjusted tensions of the two springs s and s. The attraction of armature 2' reverses the flow of current from battery it to conductors 5 and 6, and consequently. to both operate both f meters to register the time of the conversation. \Vhen the conversation is'completed and the operator removes 'the plugs from the Jacks, or rather removes the answering plug P from jack J, the hold ing circuit ofreversing relay I is opened at contactq' by the detinergization of relay Q, and-both ariiiatures'i and i return to their initial positions.

fQt her neans .iiiay'be provided to cause the proper sequence of operation of armatures '2' and i of relay 1, by positioning the armature 'zi 'j or an 'exiension thereof so as to lock the armature illllill afiel the attraction of armature 2'? as indicated in Fig. 4. 1 fMany 'cl'iangcs may be made in the details of constructioniind circuit connections without departing from the spirit of my invention. For instance, the invention is not limited to the particular type of cord circuit shown and may be adapted'to other circuits by making slight changes readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a telephone system, a plurality of subscribers stations connected by suitable line circuits with a central office, a meter at each of two of said subscribers stations comprising a registering mechanism, an electric motor connected to the line circuit and arranged to operate said registering mechanism upon the flow of current in a given direction only in said line circuit, means controlled by the operator at central for supplying current initially in the opposite direction to said line. and means operative when a through talking connection with a second subscribers station is completed to reverse the-flow of current and operate both meters.

2. In a telephone system, subscribers sta tions connected by suitable line circuits With a central office, a meter at said subscribers stations comprising a registering mechanism,

a reversible electric motor connected to line and arranged to operate said registering mechanism upon the flow oi current in a given direction only, connecting means for said lines at said central oflice arranged to supply current initially to said lines in a direction to operate said motors in the direction so as not to drive said registering mechanism. and means operative when a through talking connection between subscribers is completed to reverse the flow of current to both meter motors to operate both meters.

3. In a telephone system, subscribers staconnected by suitable line circuits with a central office, a meter at each of said subscribers stations comprising a registering mechanism, a reversible electric motor connected to line and arranged to operate said registering mechai iisin upon the tlow of current in a given direction only, and means at said central station for supplying'current initially to two connected lines in a direction to operate said motors in a direction so .as not to drive said registering mechanism and then reverse the flow of current upon the completion of a through talking connection between said subscribers.

4. In a telephone system, subscribers stations connected by suitable line circuits with a central oflice, a meter at said subscribers stations comprising a registering mechanism, a reversible electric motor connected to line and arranged to operate said recording mechanism upon the flow of current in a given direction only, a cord circuit for said lines at said central otlice, a source of current connected to said cord circuit to supply current initially in a direction to operate said motors so as not to drive said registering mechanism, and a relay controlled by the completion of the through talking circuit between two subscribers to reverse the fiow of current in. both lines and operate said meters.

5. In a telephone system, calling and called subscribers stations connected by suitable line circuits with a central otlice, a meter at each of said stations comprising a registering mechanism and a reversible elec tric motor connected to line and arranged to operate said registering mechanism upon the flow of current in a given direction only, a cord circuit at said central otficefor connecting said subscribers and arranged to supplycurrent to said lines in a direction to operate said motors so as not to drive said registering mechanism, a relay for reversing the direction of said current, and. a second relay operative when the called subscriber answers to close the energizing circuit of said reversing relay.

6. In a telephone system, calling and called subscribers stations connected by suitable line circuits with a central ofiice, a meter at each of said stations comprising a registering mechanism and a reversible electric motor connected toline and arranged to operate said registering mechanism upon the flow of current in a given direction only, a cord circuit at said central oflice for 'con-' necting said subscribers and arranged to supply current to said lines in a direction to operate said motors so as not to drive said registering mechanism, a relay for reversing the direction of said current when the called subscriber answers, and a holding circuit for said relay closed by one of its contacts and complete until said cord circuit is disconnected from the-calling subscribers line circuit.

7. A connecting circuit for telephone lines comprising suitable terminals, meters associated with the lines, a source of energy connected to said circuit, and a relay ar-' ranged to reverse said connection when a through talking circuit between two subscribers is completed whereby the meters may be operated.

-8. A connecting circuit for telephone lines comprising suitable terminal plugs, meters associated with the lines, a source of energy connected to said circuit, a relay for reversing said connection whereby the meters may be operated, a supervisory relay connected to the tip of the calling plug, and contacts controlled by said supervisory relay for completing the-circuit of said battery through said reversing relay.

9. A connecting circuit for telephone lines comprising suitable terminals, time pe riod recording meters associated with the lines, a source of electric energy operativeiy connected to said circuit, and means for reversing said connection 'when a through talking circuit between two subscribers is completedwhereby the meters may be operated.

10. A connecting circuit for telephone lines comprising suitable terminal fplugs, time period recording meters associate with the lines, a source of electric energy operatively connected to said circuit, and means for reversing said connection whereby the meters may be operated, such reversing means being under the control-of one of thev connected subscribers.

Intestimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses;

RAY H. MANSON. Witnesses:

' S. J. ROBERTS,

S. P. KmosroN. 

